I'm starting with a low dose patch and supposedly going up in dosage in a few weeks. I get occasional waves of dizzy-fuzzy head, but feel normal most of the time. Feeling normal is a good thing, right? I did feel verrrry sleepy for awhile yesterday afternoon, but supposedly I'll get used to this drug in time.

The pain is still very vivid at times, but less intense at other times. I have "breakthrough" pain drugs I can take, but I'm trying not to. I'm trying to see if I can handle a day or two with only the pain patches. It hasn't even been 24 hours yet ....

I have noticed I'm all of a sudden getting hot flashes. (No, I haven't begun menopause and no, I don't normally get them!) I'm assuming the hot flashes are from the pain patch?

We'll see.

So -

Yesterday I went shopping for a few things for my upcoming trip to Brrrrr-Boston.

I looked at some pretty coats but they cost $800-$1000!

I'm sure there are cheaper coats, but the expensive ones were right in front of me.

I didn't buy one.

I'm so glad I don't have to buy coats ... more money to save for lenses, ya know?

I did buy two pairs of Gap skinny jeans - one dark jean wash and one black. They'll tuck into the boots I already own much better than regular jeans.

I also found a cute cream colored "shawl sweater" on sale at the Gap for $35.

It looks sort of like this one, but with longer sleeves:

Shawl sweater.

I think it will look cute with jeans, boots, a scarf ... and oh yes, I suppose a shirt of some kind. Hopefully it will keep me warm enough?

Wouldn't it be funny if I forgot the shirt and just walked around the east coast with a sweater and scarf?

I don't want to spend money on clothes I won't be able to wear here in Southern California. Right now weather predictions are for 50s to low 60s F (13-14C) while I'm in Boston. That's positively bone chilling by my standards, but I think I can just layer up while I'm there. I might wear four shirts at one time and look very rolly-polly, but ....

I've also found a camera roller bag that looks ideal for use around The OC, and also is a perfect carry on size for travel. Most of the roller camera bags I've found don't have a laptop compartment and I NEED to take a laptop with me when I travel. (Obviously, if I'm shooting locally, my laptop can stay at home.)

The Lowepro Attache 50x bag appears (online) to be the best at potentially meeting my needs. If you have any interest in a carry-on size bag on rollers, you might be interested in watching the video on how this bag works. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll have time to get my hands on one prior to leaving on my upcoming trip. (I checked already and no local stores seem to have this bag in stock.)

Also?

Camera bags are outrageously expensive, including this particular one.

I can hear Briefcase swearing already and I'm only thinking about buying one.

10 Comments

You're doin just fine!

Hang in there woman and ENJOY your time with your daughter! Mine's getting MARRIED on Friday!! The time passes quickly by so enjoy! And, just curious here, if your daughter was going to Boston this time of year and SHE didn't take a coat....what would YOU say to HER?! You don't need a cold/flu on top of everything else. Buy a cheap coat and take it with. When you return home, go to Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear when it's cold if you feel a need to justify it!

-->The key is to layer because if you're in the sun it's much warmer but if it's windy, it cuts through you. I wear flip flops almost year round even though it's cold because I layer everything else. Pack some slippers for the house if you have them.

After moving from beautiful, perfect San Diego weather to Virginia Beach in November some 20+ years ago, it was 50 degrees here and I swear I thought it was 30 below. I thought we had moved to coldest most God-forsaken place on the planet. I bought something equivalent to a parka for the South Pole to keep warm. I, too, did not own a coat before that.
Funny though, now that I'm used to this weather, 50 degrees is still shorts and a sweatshirt weather.
You're so spoiled to that gorgeous Southern CA weather, it might require an adjustment. . . and a few layers. Have a great trip!!

I've been to Boston several times and would really like to go again, just to take photos and eat some of the delicious food. Really Suzanne, you don't need to spend $800 on a coat. If you need one while you're there, buy a less expensive one and then Donate it when you get home. Lots of people need coats and can't afford them. Most of all, have a great time.

No one should spend $800 on a coat! YOu can find a great looking one for $100-$150 or even less. It's just a coat, and it's just for one trip. Buy one and then do a donation like Denise said, OR do a giveaway on your blog. OR, get a heavy sweater, a scarf, hat and gloves.

Good luck!

P.S. Will that camera bag on wheels work for you on the sandy beach? Guess you will just have to do the best you can with one lens while at the beach?

Alright, as a long time new englander, I'd just suggest buying a wind breaker/rain coat to wear on top of your already cute sweater. It will protect you from the wind and the rain and keep you warm and you can layer up underneath it. rain coats are ALWAYS useful.